Front Page Headlines
‘Costs are high, concerns are growing!’
Potato farmers are in the fields to start digging up their produce for the fall. The farmers express concern, reminding that they sold their crop for half the cost of the previous season and that they do not want to experience the same thing again. “Farmers are fed up. They need to take measures,” potato growers say.
Big destruction in the economy
Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu, during the meeting held for the “Short-term Economic Action Plan”, explained the economic recession caused by the pandemic and the increase in the value of the foreign currencies with numbers. Sucuoğlu said due to the covid-19 pandemic, the income per capita in the north dropped to $10.055, adding that the economic growth rate also dropped by 16.2 per cent. Unemployment reached 10.1 per cent. Tourism revenues dropped from $912m to $165m and the revenues in the higher-education sector dropped from $786m to $384m. Sucuoğlu also noted that the north exported goods worth $106m and imported goods worth $1.32bn.
- Limitations imposed for the unvaccinated – Health Ministry announced two people passed away due to Covid-19 and identified 209 locally transmitted, 269 positive cases yesterday. The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases implemented new measures due to a surge in the number of positive cases in the country. In this regard, the people who have had their second dose of vaccination three months ago will be regarded as unvaccinated.
Attention. (MPs) Wanted!
There is a need for 500 candidates for parliament if ten parties are to take part in the general elections on January 23. In addition to the National Unity Party (UBP), the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Peoples’ Party (HP), the Democratic Party (DP), the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP), four more parties are expected to take part in the elections. Asked by Diyalog to people on the street whether they would be interested in running for parliament if any one of the parties asked them, the reply was that parties will find it difficult to find candidates because of the loss of confidence in politics. “No one in the right mind would enter politics under these circumstances,” they said.
- Conditions made harder – As of tomorrow, PCR or rapid tests will be required for people crossing between the north and the south.
- Figures are frightening –The amount of drugs seized in South Cyprus has reached 200kgs.
- Singer makes headlines – Nihayet’s music clip filmed in Maraş (Varosha) angered Greek Cypriots, pleased Tatar.
The unvaccinated in trouble
New decisions from the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases. Restrictions are imposed on the people who are not vaccinated or who have not completed their vaccinations. People in this category are banned from entering casinos, bars, clubs, indoor gyms, football stadiums, indoor team sports arenas, nightclubs, restaurants, taverns, patisseries, cafes, indoor coffee shops, and cinemas. They are also banned from attending mass ceremonies, concerts, theatres, wedding ceremonies. Home gatherings are limited to a maximum of ten people.
- Congratulated (the singer) for the Maraş (Varosha) music clip – Ersin Tatar congratulated Nihayet Elibol, who was the target of criticisms from the south due to filming a music video in Maraş (Varosha).
- Police hid his identity – Police in Akıncılar (Louroujina) village, found and seized 1750 kgs of meat smuggled from the south.
Main News
Tatar holds online meeting w/ TC rapper who filmed a music video in Maraş (Varosha)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Saturday condemned the verbal attacks and threats directed against Turkish Cypriot rapper Nihayet Elibol (also known as Nini), who filmed her latest music video in Maraş (Varosha).
In a statement issued from his office, Tatar said during an online meeting with Elibol, said the inhumane attacks are a product of a fanatical mindset which are unacceptable. Emphasizing that the music video did not intend to give any political messages, Tatar said it is illogical to attack an artist simply because of the location of her latest music video.
“The lack of tolerance to a work of art is the biggest threat for regional and global peace,” Tatar stressed, adding that tolerance for art and differences is the basic requirement of modern life. “Turkish Cypriot musician Nihayet Elibol is not alone,” he stressed, adding that she has the support of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Tatar reiterated that because the Turkish Cypriot side decided to reopen the fenced-off town, former residents of Maraş (Varosha) will be able to return to their properties through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).
Elibol during the meeting said that her song has been removed from streaming sites following a barrage of complaints from Greek Cypriots. The music video for a pop song shot in Maraş (Varosha) offended Greek Cypriots, sparking controversy.
The singer, Nihayet Elibol released ‘Bulaman’ (You cannot find) on her YouTube channel on Tuesday and further promoted it to her 27,000 Twitter followers, featuring prominent locations in the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha).
Users on social media criticised what they say is poor taste and a lack of respect for the sensitive nature of the town, which has become emblematic of the island’s division – and has now dragged on for almost half a century.
In the almost three and a half minute music video, a group of young people are seen dancing and singing on the golden beaches of the town and in the streets amongst the abandoned buildings. Dilapidated homes, hotels and shattered storefronts are also seen as the group cycles along the refurbished roads.
Released the day after the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Cypriot state, the music video triggered anger among many Greek Cypriots and Greeks, with the pop artist receiving messages filled with insults and hatred.
Behind the scenes in the leaders’ 5G agreement revealed
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs
OVERVIEW
It emerged that the agreement reached between the two community leaders to remove broadcasting systems from 700 MHz frequency was triggered by the “urgent needs of the Greek Cypriot side.”
According to information obtained from credible sources, who are also experts on the matter, it emerged that the statement issued by the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) on the confidence-building measure (CBM) is also far from “commercial and diplomatic reality.”
In the official statement issued on Friday, the UNFICYP stated TV broadcasting systems will be removed from the 700 MHz frequency band, transitioning from analogue to digital broadcasting, with the support of the EU, allowing the allocation of the 700 MHz frequency band to 5G mobile services.
The experts on the issue on the contrary state that the “agreement that was reached and concluded by Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Cyprus, Ms Elizabeth Spehar’s facilitation, had to be finalized due to the international commercial agreements signed by the Greek Cypriot side.” It is also noted that the efforts for the CBM had commenced during Mustafa Akıncı’s term in office.
The same sources also note that it is out of the question for the north to transform into 5G mobile communication as perceived by many as a result of the agreement. They said the north does not have the required infrastructure and is currently operating at 3G. The 4G mobile transmission services have been in a testing phase since 2014.
The Greek Cypriot side, as the sources claim, was concerned that the 700 MHz, which was allocated to analogue broadcasting in the north, would interfere with the 5G mobile service providers – especially in areas adjacent to the buffer zone.
“The frequencies are limited resources,” the experts underline, adding that the frequency planning must be carried out by the two sides especially to avoid interference along the buffer zone.
1750 kgs of beef seized in a military zone in Akıncılar (Louroujina)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
1750 kgs of frozen beef packed in plastic bags were discovered in a van in a military zone in Akıncılar (Louroujina) village, the dailies report on Sunday.
Following an initial inspection by the officials from the Veterinary Department, it was concluded that the meat was smuggled from the south in unhygienic conditions.
The meat seized was destroyed at a state-owned facility in Haspolat (Mia Milia) and the police have launched an investigation into the meat smuggling case.